 | Allison Taylor Schmidt | Aug 10, 2009 |
My name is Allison Taylor Schmidt.... after being born in Jacksonville, Florida with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome ( found while I was in my Mommy's tummy ) on June 30, 2009, I went through my first 'big' open heart surgery at 12 days old to fix my little heart with the incredible Pediatric Heart Surgeon Dr. Mark Bleiweis and team at Shands Gainesville Hospital. My journey in life began July 31, 2009, 5 weeks early (preemie). . . Within this site you will find updates from my family, my latest pictures, and links to other sites and groups that will enable you to help my family and me. Aside from the latest news and information you can also leave me and my family messages. A "Trust" was opened at Bank of America for me "Allison Taylor Schmidt Family Assistance Fund"; this will help me and my family with the mounting medical and travel costs for the many surgery’s I will need. Also, you can visit the FL/GA Blood Alliance and donate in my name, just reference account 3912, this will post credits toward my directed donation account. Thank you for the prayers, our family has been most especially touched in our hearts by the emails from countless friends and family and from many whom we do not know but are part of our prayer circle. Please continue to send my story and link to anyone you think may be interested. I would love the prayers... -Allison "Alliegator" Schmidt   | Photos | Jan 22, 2010 |
Healing After Glen Shunt
8 Photos
After the Glynn Shunt
5 Photos
Before the Glynn Procedure
5 Photos
More 1st times 2009
11 Photos
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 | Notes | |
- I am still at home recovering. Please continue to pray. I would like to share this poem with you called: 1/2 OF AN ANGEL'S HEART. Please look in my Blog section. - Love Allie.
- I am finally home!!!! AAHHH it is so nice to be back home with Mommy and Daddy and getting to relax in the nice comfy bed. Tooday is Saturday and I was released today. Grandma said I am doing good, but not eating as much as I should, so I look a little dehydrated. I have ALOT of medications I have to take, even more than before my Fontan surgery. All in all, everything is turning out better than expected. I am really tired and ready to snuggle with my Mommy and Daddy, so I am going to so. More later. Love Allie.
- Well - I didn't get to come home on Tuesday the 19th because The staff was working on getting my medications just right. Dr. Bleiweis said that he wants to make sure my blood pressure is down as low as he can get it to take some pressure off my heart valve and hopefully help control the leaking. We are all really ready to come home. It is Friday though and I am suppose to be released today. Yipee! Daddy is here now and boy have I missed him! He has been busy working and he is finally back here with me and Mommy now. They are going to take me back home. Oh, and Aunt Liza talked to Heather Perry, the reporter that was so nice and wrote the article about me in the Fernandina Beach newsleader. Well, Miss Heather said that when I get home and settled back in with Mommy and Daddy, she wants to do a follow-up story on me. Isn't that cool! I'll be in the newspaper again. I will keep everyone update on the newspaper and how I am doing. But, I think I am going to be packing up soon so I have to go now. I love everyone and hope to see you all real soon. Love - Your Allie-Gator.
- For more information on Stem Cell Research and to view the article about stem cells mending heart valves in infants, click the hyperlinks listed in the "Links" section of the homepage.
- Hi Everyone, Allie here again with another update from Gainesville. I am doing really good right now, even the doctor is impressed with me (but he should be, I am awesome). The other night my blood pressure was really high and they were trying a lot of different meds to try and stabilize me, finally they decided to put me on Viagra (Grandma and Mommy thought they were joking at first), but it worked! My saturation levels and my blood pressure got better, and they have stayed that way. They took me off the Viagra and put me on another med last night because the Viagra is the strongest and Dr. Bleiweis wants to save that for an option before I go in for my Fontan surgery so he can make sure I am stable then. I am still on the oxygen, that will be the last thing to come off of, right now they are slowly taking me off of meds and other things. Tomorrow I am scheduled to have the central line removed. My valve is still an issue, but I am maintaining even with the issues. Dr. Bleiweis said that we will need to address the valve issue sometime before the Fontan surgery, and Grandma started doing a little research. Guess what, she went on the CBR website where my Cord Blood is and they are currently working on stem cell heart valve research and hope to have something released in 2012, which is when the doctor believes we will need something done on my valve. So I may be able to get my valve repaired using my own stem cells. Grandma thinks that is a great sign from God. She is going to start looking into this, so pray that everything turns out great on that end. Also, I was able to take my 1st bottle today with no swallow problems, so we are going to start back to regular feedings. They say that as long as I continue doing so well, I may be able to come home this Tuesday. Isn't that great?!?! I am so happy. That was great news for everyone. Well it is past my bedtime and I need to rest up, so I can come home soon. Love you always, Love Allie.
- Update 1/13/10 It has almost been 48 hours since my surgery so I wanted to give you guys an update on my condition so far. Last night the nurses and my Mommy and Grandma worked on keeping me calm while I came off all my medications from the surgery. Up until around 6am this morning I was doing good with handling the pain and everything, but then this morning I started to cry and some of the secretion came up from my chest into the tube and I couldn't breath and started to turn a little blue. They did an emergency removal of the tube. I am breathing on my own now with just the oxgyen in my nose. The staff is monitoring my Blood Pressure and Saturation levels. My Saturation needs to be between 75-80 and it is ranging 65-70 right now, my heart rate is up, and so is my blood pressure. They are giving me blood pressure medicine to try to get that to come down. The nurses and doctors told Mommy and Grandma that they should know in 3-4 hours about my valve. If they cannot get my saturation levels to stabilize then they will know whether the valve is going to cause complications or not. I will update everyone as soon as we know something. Keep the Prayers coming and I love you. God Bless - Allie Schmidt
- Just a quick note so that you can better understand what Dr. Bleiweis did during the surgery. He removed the artificial shunt that was inserted last time.
He rearranged the blood vessels that bring blood back to the lungs. (The vein coming down from the head (superior vena cava) was detached from the heart and attached to the artery that goes to the lungs to get oxygen.) So, after this surgery, all the blood returning from my head will go straight to my lungs instead of going back to my heart and then being pumped into my lungs.- update on me below - Allie
- Update: 10:09pm. I am in my room and the nurses are getting me ready. No one has gotten to come back to see me yet, but they did talk to Dr. Bleiweis. Dr. Bleiweis told them that before he was able to begin the operation my stats went down and I coded on him. It was very touchy for a little bit, but he was able to get me on the bypass machine and I stabilized after that. He went in and was able to complete the Glen, but did not touch my valve. He said my valve has 2 things wrong with it, one thing is there is a laceration in the valve and also the flap in the valve is not coming together all the way like it is suppose to. Both places are causing leakage. Dr. Bleiweis said that after taking the shunt out, there is a possibility that the flap may heal itself, because the heart (valve) will shrink and might cause the flap to come back together. He doesn't think the laceration is repairable at this time. He is not putting me on the heart transplant list right now, because he wants to monitor me and see how I do after the Glen on my own. He said I may be able to maintain with the imperfections in my valve without having to repair them or performing a transplant. We will be doing lots of monitoring over the next few weeks to see how I am responding. If I seem to be doing o.k. then I will get to go home and we will continue watching to make sure I am able to hold my own. If I stay strong then Dr. Bleiweis said we still might need to address the valve before the Fontan procedure in a 2-3 years. He is happy with the fact that even though I gave him some complications I was able to stabilize and my saturation levels are back up to where they were before the surgery, which is wonderful. Right now we just need to pray that I am strong enough to surprise everyone and continue to develop at a normal pace regardless of the complications with the valve. Although if I cannot, then we will begin talking about the transplant as an option. I am going to rest now, and get ready to see Mommy and Daddy. I will be back tomorrow for more updates for everyone. Please send lots of prayers. Many Many Hugs and Kisses for the Alliegator.
- Update: Monday 1.11.10 - 8:00pm - The Glen Procedure is complete and I ended up having to go on the Bypass machine to complete the procedure. I am being taken off the bypass machine now, and everyone is waiting to see me and talk to my doctor. I am not sure exactly what Dr Bleiweis decided to do about my valve yet, I will know more after we come out of O.R. I will let everyone know as soon as I know more. Keep praying and We all love you. - Allie and Allie's family.
- Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. We are on our way to Gainesville. I have to be there at 10:30am and my surgery is scheduled for 11:00am this morning. I am riding with Mommy, Daddy, and Little Grandma and Grandma, Grandpa and Nonnie are in the other car. We should be there soon. We will update later when we have more information. Love you all. Keep Praying! Love and Hugs Allison
- Sorry, I haven't updated everyone for the last few days. I have been struggling and things have been tough for me. I have been experiencing spasms, and we are not sure if it is my stomach or my heart. They are really rough on me, and my stats have been up and down over the last 24 hours. I had to have the CPAP put back in, which is a big tube in my nose that helps keep my lungs open. The hospital staff is running numerous tests on me because they believe I have an infection because my white cell count is really high. Last night Grandma said my heart rate was up to 221 and that really scared Mommy. I am still fighting hard and trying to be strong for everyone. Please keep praying for me and my family. I guess this is one of the "little bumps" the Dr. told us about. My family has faith that God will prevail and I will continue to fight and God will see to help me come home where I belong with my loving family.
All my love and kisses
Allie
| Guestbook | |
 | I am so bummed that I didn't get to see you this weekend because I am sick. Happy though that you may come home on Tuesday. See you soon munchkin! Aunt Liza |
 | Allison, I pray that your doing well. I look forward to reading the next update. |
| Allison Taylor...I am praying for you every moment. I love you so much my precious little pumpkin. I have so enjoyed getting to know you and spend time with you. I am praying for a fast recovery and I cannot wait to hold you again. I love you always....Aunt Liza |
| Allison, It was good seeing you at your cousin Joey's birthday. You have sure came along way, I hope your next surgery goes well and you make a speedy recovery. I will continue you in prayer. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!!!!! |
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lssweetsue wrote on Nov 1, '09, edited on Nov 1, '09 Allie-our beautiful Angel, here's Gamma and Papa showing you off again...so blessed and beautiful! More pics for everyone to enjoy... |
 | donna l. baldwin - When I asked Robert at BOA about you and baby, he told me of the miracle that God gave to you. I am so happy for you and your family. I will donate and continue to pray, know that you and your baby are loved by me! I miss you |
| Hey there little bit - I am so glad you are home and I finally got to HOLD YOU. That was so Awesome. I cannot wait to see you again tomorrow. I love you. Love Aunt Liza |
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lssweetsue wrote on Sep 27, '09, edited on Sep 27, '09 Well, here is my new Headshot, featuring the most beautiful baby girl in the world..Our Little Allie-gator...XXXOOO |
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lssweetsue wrote on Sep 26, '09, edited on Sep 27, '09 Gamma and Papa are so very proud of you. You are so strong and beautiful...can't wait to see you back at home! Love is more than abundantly waiting for you, Mommy and Daddy...hurry up! |
 | hey lil princess this is aunt wendy,im so excited your one step closer to comeing home,now me and joey jr can come visit when you get all settled in :)love aunt wendy uncle joe and joey jr !! |
 | Nonni says: Everybody at church is prayin for you, im praying for, i wanna kiss you, i wanna rock you in the rocking chair, all because i love you! |
| Hey Allison this is your cuz jennifer im prayin for you girly. I love you!!!! |
| Hello Allison, I was just thinking about you, i drove right passed the hospital, where you and your family are and just wanted to stop in and see how you were doing, but unfortunately, i didnt have your Aunt Wendy with me so i didnt. =( I hope your still on the road to recoverery and get to go home soon. Well you guys are still in my prayers. God Bless! |
 | My little angel, Allison Taylor, you are alsways in my prayer's and heart. - Great Gramma. |
 | Hi Allison, this is your mommys friend Heather. from what I hear you are a very strong little girl.I want you to keep fighting and know that our whole family is praying for you to get well and be home with your mommy and daddy. I love you already and have not even met you yet but i cant wait until that day comes!! keep fighting love Heather Dean and family |
| Lil Angel- this is Gamma Linda. I just wanted to say how very much you are loved and held in prayer without cessation. I have changed my head-shot so that everyone can see how truly beautiful you are and I can't wait to see the princess you will become...All my love |
| Allison - I don't know if I have ever been so scared in my life then when I received the call this morning that you were in distress. I have prayed for you everyday since before you were born, but I don't think I have ever prayed as hard as I did all the way to you. Somewhere deep inside, through the hurt, anguish, fear, and turmoil, I knew that you would make it. I know God has a plan for you little Allie, and your life is just beginning. You little girl are a fighter, and you come from a long line of strong, hard headed women. That strength is in you and I believe The Lord shall allow you to overcome. I continue to pray for you and your Mommy and Daddy. I love you all very much.
I Love you and I know your Guardian Angel is watching over you.
Love Aunt Liza
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 | Shane and Christina,
You may or may not remember me, but I am a friend of Erin and Robbie's. I just want both of you to know that I have your baby girl in my prayers nightly. She is truely a little miracle and cherish her always. God is a great and merciful God and he makes no mistakes, so please thank Him daily for having chosen the two fo you to be strong enough to send this special angel too. He only sends them to the best of the best and the stongest of strong. I have been through this before with my first child in 1997 so please know that if you need anything, I am here for you. Your angel is a blessing to you that you have never thought you would be worthy of. Love her and love each other....above all...Love Him..... |
 | Dear Shane and Christina,
Allison is soooo Beautiful !!! I am so happy for you both. You ALL are in my thoughts and prayers. You got yourself a tough little cookie. May god bless you and keep you safe, and I'm am praying for little AlllieGator !! Please call if you need anything.
Love, Tasha and Kacie Alexander |
 | Blog | Jan 25, 2010 |
1/2 OF AN ANGEL'S HEART It's a beautiful day up in heaven. Jesus is rounding up his tiniest angels, to go live on earth, and be born. One of the sweetest angels says to Jesus "I don't want to leave, I like it here, and I will miss you." He... more |  | Video | Sep 9, 2009 |
 Allison continues to improve, and loves her cuddle time with her Mom! | |  | Links | |
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